Jambs old



(No Model.)

J. OLD.

HAND CARRYING DEVICE FOR MELONS, 8w.

n W w w a 1 .QNWL m M A L W a h d e t n e t a P v m m. w m 3 1%, 0 N

N PETERS. Phulo Lrlhugmphen Wuahlllglun. n. c

UNITED STaTEs P TENT @rrrce.

JAMES OLD, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

HAND CARRYING DEVICE FOR MELONS, 80C.

SPECIPICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 310,607, dated January 13,1885. Application filed August 29, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES OLD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Carrying by Hand Melons or Pumpkins, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in devices for carrying by hand melons orpumpkins; and it consists in a handle through which a doubled cord passes, on which are sliding metallic plates suitably distanced to clasp the melon and hold it firmly when the handle is raised, as will be fully described hereinafter. My object is to introduce a device for conveniently carrying melons, and to make it so cheap that the venders of the melons can afford to furnish it to the purchasers without additional pay, or at a very small expense. The usefulness of such a device will be readily acknowledged by all who have to carry melons or pumpkins from a distance-to their homes, or wish to take home a melon without being provided witha basket or other means to carry it.

The accompanying drawings represent my invention, in which Figure 1 is a perspective of a device embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views.

A represei'its a turned wooden handle with a hole from end to end of sufiicient diameter to admit the passage'of adoubled cord that is strong enough to carry a large melon or pumpkin. Through the hole in the handle are passed both ends of a cord, which ends, before entering the handle, are drawn through eyes on two metallic plates, 0, by which they are held apart. One of the edges of the plates is bent inwardly and dented or barbed to become embedded in the rind of the melon when the cord is tightened around it. The plates 0 are made to slide on the cord for adjustment to the size of the melon, and one of them is to hold one end, and the other one the opposite end of the melon. Between the two plates 0, on both strands of the cord, are smaller barbs, D, also provided with eyes that, when the melon is set on end, enter the 11nd at the bottom to keep it from slipping through between the cord, and otherwise assist in holding the melon in place. The loop of the cord, after the melon has been properly placed, is to be tied to the ends, so that when lifted up by the handle the melon is firmly supported by the surrounding-cord and held in place by the plates. To secure the melon in this device the cord is spread flat on the ground, the plates adjusted to a proper distance from the handle, and the smaller barbs, D, at equal distaces from the larger ones and pressed into the rind, then seizing the handle and loop of the cord they are brought together and tied near the handle to the ends.

The upper edges of the plates 0, hereinbefore described, are dented or barbed. They may, however, be smooth, and the eyes through which the cord passes may be formed by bending the cut ends of the plates into a shape to retain the cord; or, instead of acord, a fine wire may be used, all of which I desire to include in my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a device for carrying melons by hand, the combination of the cords, which are passed around the melon, suitable barbs which are applied to the cords for catching in the melons, and a handle, also applied to the cords, substantially as shown.

2. In a device for carrying melonsby hand, the combination of the cords with the plate 0, having eyes upon their ends for the cords to pass through, and having edges to cut into the melons, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

JAMES OLD.

WVitnesses:

J OHN M. Roma, 0. F. 

